CBeebies: Parents unite to save kids’ channel

Worried parents have tried to contact Prime Minister David Cameron in their efforts to save BBC children’s channel CBeebies from the axe.

A petition has been launched, attracting tens of thousands of signatures, to save the channel aimed at toddlers and pre-school age children, which shows both educational and entertaining programmes.

The public outpouring came after BBC Director General Tony Hall made a speech in which he said channels including Cbeebies, BBC News, BBC4 and CBBC, which is aimed at older children, may face the axe. The changes are part of a shake-up at the broadcaster which could mean children’s TV being placed onto the iPlayer platform and streamed online.

The “Save the CBeebies TV channel” petition claims it “plays a significant role in the lives of most parents”.

Speaking at the Science Museum, Mr Hall said: “The BBC faces a very tough financial challenge. We will inevitably have to close or reduce some services.